By featured writer: Christy Freeman
What is your favorite story about Jesus? One of mine is found in Mark 4:36-41, which reads as follows:
Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Reading this display of power over something as uncontrollable (for us) as the wind and sea always gives me a feeling of great security. So many things in our lives are completely out of our control. The very idea that the God I serve has the ability to control those things is a source of great comfort.
However, there’s another point to this account that I’m finding is just as comforting:
The very fact that the Son of God was in the boat, meant that it was not going to sink!
Just like the disciples, terror rises up in us and we forget who we’re traveling with. How often do we pray for God to change the circumstances that are raging against our little boat? We find ourselves in the midst of a squall and we run to God and say, “Don’t you care that I’m perishing?” We beg for our “Peace, be still” moment, but it doesn’t come.
In our scenario, it is as though Jesus says to us, “For reasons you aren’t going to know right now, it is the Father’s will that this storm continue.”
Whoa! That is NOT the answer we wanted! We thought that since we do have faith that He has power over everything that He was supposed to exert that power to make everything calmer around us! Not necessarily.
Remember the picture of Jesus asleep on a pillow in the midst of the storm? He had perfect peace while it was still raging, not just after it was over.
If we listen, we will hear Him continue the answer to our prayer, “I may not calm the raging sea around you, but I am with you in this boat. I promise you, no matter how much water pours into it and no matter how loud the wind howls, this craft WILL NOT sink with me in it. And I promise that I ‘will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)
Praise God! He won’t leave us alone!
And I find as I sit with Jesus’ arm about me that even though the storm hasn’t abated, the fear doesn’t rise up in me as it did before. “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear.” (Hebrews 13:6) I am not perishing while the Master is with me.
So, there’s really only one question to ask when the hurricanes of life are barreling down upon your vessel.
Is Jesus in your boat? If so, grab a pillow and enjoy the breeze…
© Christy Freeman
2008.09.30
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Sweet! I feel like I just dug up gold
What an awesome encouragement to keep our gaze fixed directly on Him. Thank you!
Thank you for your article.
It is good to hear encouragement like this from time to time.
With my business, we see many stressful situations.
As Christians, we need to remember that we have a different perspective and hope than non-believers have.
Thanks again.
-Dwayne
Good stuff! I remember preaching on that once and telling the church, “Jesus said to get in the boat and go to the other side, he did not tell them to get in the boat and let’s go out there and drown together, or get in the boat and let’s just see what happens.” I wish I had great enough faith to relax. Just when I think I’m getting there, another storm comes up and I find myself in doubt … all over again.
Thank you Christy. My storm is raging all around me and I needed to be reminded of the occupants in my boat. Wonderful insight and passion. We always know He’s there, but sometimes we just need to remember the awesome power that comes with His presence in our lives. God Bless you in your gift of sharing God’s Word.
Great post!
Jesus in essence said “Get in the boat!”. Verse 35 says “On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” It was his idea to go in the boat to the other side. They should have felt even more secure because it was his idea. When he says “Go” he is always with us. So, relax, He has your back.
Royce
Great thoughts. Ellen and I have recently went through a financial storm (but who hasn’t). We are now seeing the hand of God work it out. Why do we ever doubt? Why do we take our focus off the center–Jesus? There’s really no good excuse. Ultimately He will calm all the storms in our lives and we shall ever be in His presence.